Introduction: In the world of golf, few things are as detrimental to a golfer's swing as the dreaded chicken wing. This pesky flaw can wreak havoc on your ball flight and consistency, but with the right knowledge and practice, it's a problem that can be solved. In this blog post, we'll dive into what exactly chicken winging is, explore the physical limitations that contribute to it, and provide effective drills and exercises to help you eradicate it from your game for good.
What is Chicken Winging?
Explanation: Chicken winging occurs when the lead elbow (left elbow for right-handed golfers) bends outward away from the body during and after impact, resembling the shape of a chicken wing.
Causes: Chicken winging is often a result of poor sequencing in the downswing, lack of wrist hinge, and insufficient rotation of the body through impact. It can also be exacerbated by physical limitations such as tightness in the chest and shoulders, weakness in the forearms, and limited mobility in the wrists.
Effects: The chicken wing restricts the extension of the arms through impact, leading to a loss of power, control, and consistency in your ball striking. It often results in thin or topped shots, as well as a lack of compression and distance.
Addressing Physical Limitations:
Forearm Strength and Flexibility: Incorporate exercises such as wrist curls, reverse wrist curls, and forearm stretches to improve strength and flexibility in the forearms, helping to maintain a solid wrist angle throughout the swing.
Shoulder Mobility: Perform shoulder mobility drills and stretches to increase flexibility in the shoulders, reducing the tendency to lift the lead elbow and chicken wing through impact.
Wrist Hinge: Practice proper wrist hinge drills, focusing on maintaining wrist angle and lag in the downswing to prevent premature release and chicken winging.
Drills to Prevent Chicken Winging:
Towel Drill: Place a towel under your lead arm and tuck it under your armpit. Practice making swings while keeping the towel in place, encouraging proper extension and rotation through impact.
Extension Through Impact: Focus on extending your arms fully through impact, feeling as though you're reaching towards your target with both hands. This promotes a straighter lead arm and eliminates the chicken wing.
Conclusion: By understanding the causes of chicken winging and addressing any physical limitations that contribute to it, golfers can take significant strides towards eliminating this common swing flaw. Incorporate the recommended drills and exercises into your practice routine to promote proper arm extension and rotation through impact, ultimately leading to more consistent and powerful ball striking on the course.
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